Made to Crave Mondays - Chapter 3

OK, we're at chapter three and I believe this is where I'm going to be kicked into gear. No more theorizing...it's time for action. Well, there may still be theorizing and self-introspection...but the action has to be part of it as well at this point! Are you ready? I really don't know if I'm ready...but for my health, for my family, for so many reasons...it's time. Let's dig in to chapter three of Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Even if you haven't read the chapter, I know you will have so much to add to this discussion! And, you can find out more about the book at www.madetocrave.org!

HERE WE GO...

1. What thoughts, images, or emotions do you associate with the word plan? Are you the kind of person who says, "I love it when a plan comes together!" or are you more likely to say, "Plan-schman, can't we all just go with the flow?"
Jill's answer: Of course I'm a Plan-Schman girl. One thing that really hit home for me in this particular chapter is when Lysa says "I wanted to eat what I wanted, when I wanted, in the quantities I wanted."That is so me. I hate planning and journaling and being so careful with what I eat. I KNOW it works, but I HATE doing it. And, what really frustrates me is that I have so many friends who can eat what they want, when they want, and in the quantities they want. In the past I have found myself shaking my fist at the unfairness of it all. Why do I have to be so short, why do I have to gain weight so easily...why why why! What a whiner!!!! So, needless to say, a plan may not be what I want, but it is what I so desperately NEED!
 
2. Are there areas of your life in which having a plan works well for you? For example, in your finances, for vacation trips, accomplishing daily tasks, reaching professional goals, reading the the Bible in a year. In these areas of your life, does having a plan feel empowering or restrictive? Do your feelings change when the plan is about food, what you will eat and not eat?
Jill's answer: A few years back Jeremy and I had worked extremely hard to get debt free and set up realistic plans for our finances, vacations, family goals, etc. But lately, we've strayed way off course in just about every area. Now we're beginning the long process of turning the Titanic back around. It's going to take time, but we remember how well the plans worked and want to get back to them AFTER cleaning up the mess that's left in the wake of living life on a whim. I desire planning and goals in these ares. But, I do not desire then with my eating. Like Lysa says, it's an acceptable drug of choice for a Christian woman. I work in full-time ministry so sometimes having even just one drink out in public is frowned upon. And, Jeremy and I try to be careful with what movies we choose to attend. We don't want to give the wrong impression or lead anyone astray by our poor judgment. But, FOOD! Everybody loves eating yummy food. It's accepted and encouraged, even in excess. So, when I look at the one "drug" that is socially accepted in just about every circle...I don't want to think of monitoring and restricting myself, especially when everyone else is indulging. But, a plan in place will be necessary!

3. "My changing body revealed all my secrets...Poor choices with food will rat me out every time". What is the relationship between food and secrets? What secrets do you think your body reveals? Jill's answer: I guess when you're trying to hide what you're eating you are in fact keeping secrets from your spouse, your friends and family, and even yourself. If I eat something quickly, quietly, and all by myself so I'm the only one who knows...I'm often tempted not to count it during a time when I actually am trying to keep track of calories or points, etc. I will also fail to mention it. I am not proud of it, but there have been times when Jeremy has asked me what I had for lunch that I have said, "A salad". Really? Well, I did eat a salad, but maybe I also had some fries off of Alyssa's plate and half of her ice cream for dessert. But, I did eat a salad. Maybe that salad was topped with crispy chicken and fatty dressing and croutons. But, it's not a LIE to say I had a salad. However, it always winds up feeling like a deception because, well, it is. And, why? It's not like Jeremy's going to be upset with me for my food choices. I just don't want him or anyone to KNOW the extent of my poor choices. But, like Lysa, my poor food choices rat me out every time. The bulges and lumps and tight "big" jeans...well, they reveal the truth about that "salad" and all the other half truths I've admitted to eating.

4. Choosing a healthy eating plan that works for you may require research, experimentation, and consultation with your doctor or other health care professionals. How does the prospect of doing these things make you feel? Does it energize you and help you to feel equipped or does it overwhelm you and make you feel discouraged? Jill's answer: It does give me a little hope because I've seen results from following a plan in the past. However, I also remember the tedious journaling and counting of calories. One thing that I think might help is that I've downloaded a calorie counter on the home page of my PC. That should make it a little easier to record what I've eaten and let it do the counting and the math. I'd say I'm starting the PROCESS of turning the corner here, but I'm not completely giddy about it! :)

5. Lysa described her food plan but emphasized the importance of choosing a healthy plan that works for you. What words or phrases would you use to describe the kind of plan you think would be realistic for you over the long term? On a scale of one to ten, how hopeful are you that you can find a realistic food plan, one that you can grow to love just as Lysa grew to love her food plan? Jill's answer: I think a simple food list works best. I know if what I'm about to put in my mouth is not a whole grain, fruit, veggie, lean meat, low fat yogurt, or organic milk, or nuts...then it isn't something that will be beneficial for my body and my overall well-being. So, I will continue quoting I Cor 10:23 over and over to myself. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial!" 

So, I've begun this road today. Also, I'm starting to keep track of my calories. I've given myself an average of 500 calories per meal for 1500 per day. This may be too many to get me to my goal weight, but I know it's way better than what I've been doing otherwise. And, I will leave room for adjusting down as I move forward in this process. So, from here on out, everything that goes into my mouth will be entered into that calorie counter. This will also help me think before popping a handful of peanut m&m's in there. They are Yum-O - but they're also 'Oh MY' when it comes to calories and the total lack of nutrition beneficial to my body.

Will there be an occasional splurge for a special occasion? Sure! But, I'm going to be VERY picky about what constitutes a special occasion. A special dinner out with Jeremy to celebrate our 10th anniversary = special occasion. Alyssa gets invited to yet another 5-y.o. birthday party where they're serving pizza, cake and ice cream, and they offer it to the parents as well = NOT a special occasion (for me, that is)!

OK - so it's getting real, now. No more just talking about needing to make healthy changes. The changes are here and ready to be MADE! Are you on board with me? Let me know with your comments below. Maybe you have some ideas for the anti-journalers like me. Or, maybe you have other questions, comments, concerns, encouragement. Whatever you have to say, I can't wait to read it! Have a FABULOUS Made to Crave Monday!